UAE 2026 Directive: Work, Tourist Visa Suspension for Citizens of 9 Nations Amid Immigration Policy Overhaul
Nine nations' citizens are prohibited from applying for new tourist or work visas, but those who already have valid visas are free to come, remain in the UAE, and work there.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) September 23: On the basis of a 2026 immigration directive, the United Arab Emirates has suspended the granting of work and tourism visas to nationals of nine countries. It includes nations like Bangladesh, Uganda and Afghanistan.
Temporary Suspension
According to reports, the United Arab Emirates has temporarily stopped issuing work and tourist visas to nationals of nine African and Asian nations. It is a part of a comprehensive immigration change. An internal immigration circular indicates a major change in policy. It has far-reaching economic, political, and humanitarian consequences. There is no formal confirmation that has been made public. The UAE's 2026 visa ban is a response to growing security, health, and migration governance issues.
Nine Nations Impacted
Multiple publications have obtained a confidential immigration circular. It states that the UAE has temporarily suspended new visa applications from the following nations: Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan and Uganda.
As of 2026, citizens of these nine countries cannot apply for United Arab Emirates work permits or tourist visas. There is no stated timeframe for a review or reversal of the policy. It is in force until further notice.
The fact that this is a visa ban and not a complete travel ban should be made clear. Those nationals of the following nations who currently possess valid UAE visas are unaffected. They are free to live and work in the UAE lawfully.
Conflicting Diplomatic Responses
Abdalla Hassan AlShamsi is the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Uganda. He has denied rumors that Ugandan people will not be allowed to obtain visas. He said that no formal notice of such a prohibition has been issued.
Tareq Ahmed is the ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates. He also denied that the United Arab Emirates had banned visas for nationals of Bangladesh. He referred to the reports as "malicious". The clarification comes after the listing of Bangladesh as one of nine nations purportedly banned by travel website uaevisaonline.com. Tareq emphasized that the UAE government had not contacted the embassy about any restrictions.
Policy Motivations
The visa freeze supports initiatives to modernize the visa process, improve identity verification and documents. According to reports, the UAE is trying to improve its immigration procedures. This is in order to lower identity theft and inconsistent paperwork.
The ban is motivated by a mix of safety, political, and health concerns. Those who already have valid tourist or work visas may arrive, remain in the UAE, and continue to work there. But the citizens of these nations are not permitted to apply for new ones.
